A FOOTBALL fan who is devoted to Blackburn Rovers – despite living hundreds of miles away in Iceland – is making his first trip to Ewood Park this weekend.

Thor Sveinsson, along with two friends, is thrilled to be making the 1,800-mile round trip to Lancashire and can't wait to glimpse the hallowed turf for the first time.

The 32-year-old, who works as a trawler fisherman in his home town of Isafjorour in the Westfjords, has been a huge fan of Rovers since he was seven.

Mr Sveinsson has such a loyal following for the club he has hosted a Rovers pub quiz in his regular ale house in Iceland.

The football fan said he was excited to watch Tony Mowbray's boys take on Stoke City.

He said: “I’ve supported Blackburn since I can remember. It’s a fact I’m Rovers’ biggest fan.

“Alan Shearer got me supporting and winning the league was of course a plus for a seven-year-old.

“The first kit I got was in 1996 with the CIS ad on the front. I had to ask my parents to buy it when they went to Ireland because there were none to be found in Iceland.”

Mr Sveinsson said he wants to meet up with fellow fans before and after the match for a drink and a chat to discuss the club and how the team has been this season.

He said: “My favourite player right now must be Charlie Mulgrew, I think he has been instrumental in recent hard times.

“It’s very hard to choose the favourite of all time but I’d have to say Alan Shearer, Tugay and Brad Friedel in no particular order – I can’t and won’t choose between them!

“I hope we can bring luck to the next fixture, last games haven’t gone our way but I feel we will clinch it by one goal in a hard fought game.”

Rovers sit 16th in the Championship on 47 points having only won one match in the last five.

Stoke are two places above them, having drawn their last four matches in a row.

Mr Sveinsson said: “Blackburn are masters at raising my expectations each season. Before the season I’d have settled with staying in the league but after a good run after Christmas a tiny part of me was even looking at a play-off spot, but recent results have made a little more pessimistic.

“I’ll settle for a mid-table finish with a smile now. We need a little more time to develop a squad before we eventually switch places with Burnley and take our rightful place in the Premier League.

"I’m bringing two friends with me. Rovers aren’t their first club but on the day they will be true fans and are excited about supporting me with their company on the journey.”